Ekweremadu Gets Back Seized Properties; Judge Chides EFCC, Accuses It Of Unfairness

By Gideon Njoku

“How do you help to tie down a man, and initiate a fight, and demand that the *same man you have helped to tie down defend himself? This, in my opinion, is an unconscionable act” –  Hon Justice Ekwo

Incarcerated former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, has taken back possession of his, about, 43 properties temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court, who had ordered an interim forfeiture   of the properties, lifted it on Friday.

Ekweremadu, who is in a London jail, awaiting his prosecution for an alleged human organ trafficking, is being prosecuted in Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged corruption.

Justice Ekwo, in lifting the forfeiture order, accused the EFCC of concealing facts presented before him when he granted the interim forfeiture order.

Ekwo, also, chided the EFCC,  and described its action as unconscionable, given the fact that the Commission is, allegedly, part of Ekweremadu’s ordeal in London. He wondered how the anti- graft Commission, still expected Ekweremadu to be present in Nigeria, at the same time, to defend himself.

Justice Ekwo: “I have been asking myself the question repeatedly. How can a citizen of Nigeria who is incarcerated outside the Country, to the knowledge of the respondent, EFCC, be expected to show course in an action in Nigeria, brought by the respondent, at the same time?

“How do you help to tie down a man, and initiate a fight, and demand that the same man you have helped to tie down defend himself?

“This, in my opinion, us an unconscionable act.”

Ekweremadu and his wife, Dr Beatrice Ekweremadu, were arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, on allegation of trafficking a 21- year old man to London in order to harvest his kidney for their daughter, Sonia, who is suffering from kidney disease and needs a transplant. The young man said it was without his knowledge and/or consent.

Since that June of 2022, Ekweremadu has been in jail pending his prosecution as the trial Judge refused to grant him bail, labeling him a flight risk. His wife, however, was granted bail after about two months in jail. Their daughter, Sonia, and a London- based Nigerian Medical Doctor, Obeta, are also being prosecuted for same alleged offence. Dr Obeta, like the former Deputy Senate President, has also been refused bail.

Ekweremadu’s lawyer son, successfully, challenged the interim forfeiture order of his family’s assets.